The Pros and Cons of Moving Out During Remodeling
We are pleased to share the following article that was written for us by the very talented content writer, Mary Aspen Richardson. We’re so appreciative for this quality contribution to our blog.
*************************************************************************************************
Remodeling can be a very exciting prospect, as it promises to bring you closer to your ideal home.
However, it’s also costly and stressful as all such projects can be. Navigating this experience comes with
many factors to juggle and weigh as you decide what to do and avoid. Perhaps the first such dilemma
you will face once the project begins is where you will stay. Will you move out and let your contractors
handle the job as you enjoy some peace of mind? Or would you rather stay to observe the project’s
course and avoid the hassle of moving out? Each comes with some perks, but also with some
disadvantages to consider. So, let us explore the pros and cons of moving out during remodeling to help
you make the best choice for you.
Choosing to stay or move out during remodeling
First and foremost, there are a few different factors to consider before weighing the pros and cons of
each option. Those may make your choice easier right from the start, so let’s start there.
#1 The scale of the project
First, your choice will likely heavily depend on the exact scale of the project. Consider such crucial
questions as:
What’s the size of the project? Small-scale projects will typically disrupt your daily life less and
only require slight adjustments. Larger-scale ones are far more likely to put a strain on your stay,
as they occupy many key areas at once – or slow down to facilitate your use of them.
Which areas are affected? For that matter, which specific areas are affected is also a significant
factor. For example, remodeling your kitchen may be more manageable than renovating both
bathrooms at once. Any remodeling that interrupts electrical and plumbing services will make
your stay far harder to manage as well.
How long will it last? Finally, how long the project will last should directly inform your choice
too. A week may be very manageable, but a few months of work will likely deter most
homeowners. Here, remember that your choice to stay or move out during remodeling will also
affect the project’s duration.
#2 Your health and safety
Second, also mainly depending on your project’s scale and scope, you must prioritize your and your
family’s health and safety. Consider such factors as:
Dust and toxins. All such work will inevitably generate some dust, but your chosen work may
entail such dangers as stirring up toxins. Carefully calculate just how hazardous your home’s
environment will become and for how long – and ideally, take no chances.
Cooling and heating. Similarly, some remodeling may make heating and cooling unreliable or
impossible. This is another factor that will impact your daily life, should it come into play.
Mental well-being. Finally, physical health aside, constant hammering and drilling can induce
severe stress. Crews will unavoidably deprive you of privacy as well. If those are not conditions
you can endure, moving out during remodeling should be your ideal choice.
#3 The financial aspect
Lastly, the ever-present financial aspect is always one that should inform your choice. Here, there are
two different costs to account for:
1. Moving out. Of course, moving out will cost you; temporary accommodation, storage, and other
costs abound. You must also account for potential work disruptions, even if slight, should you be
working from home.
2. Staying. However, staying on-site will also cost you; de-cluttering your space of bulky items
during renovation will still require storage to remove large pieces that might block your way and
inhibit your daily life. Your contractors will simply have to work slower as well. They will have to
accommodate your schedule, ensure your items’ safety and your well-being, perform daily
cleanups, and more. This will typically delay your project and incur considerable financial costs
as well.
Pros and cons of moving out during remodeling
With these in mind, let’s now consolidate the above and weigh the two options. Each will have its own
pros and cons and will largely depend on you and your project – so there’s no universally “better” one
between them.
First, let’s start with moving out for your project’s duration. This does offer the more hassle-free and,
often, more cost-effective option, but it also comes with negatives you may mind.
Pro: faster progress
Without having to work around your stay, contractors will typically work much faster. Especially for
large-scale projects, this can be a very visible difference in total completion time and cost.
Pro: ensuring your well-being
At the same time, moving out will ensure your safety and well-being. Depending on your affected areas,
your project may produce a very unhealthy and stressful environment which you may wish to avoid.
Con: daily life disruptions
However, moving out will most likely incur some daily life disruptions. Your temporary accommodations
may be located farther away from your place of work or your children’s school, for instance.
Con: costs
Finally, unless you can stay with friends or family, moving out during remodeling does entail costs. That
option, too, may not be ideal for longer projects, as you’d likely not want to overburden your temporary
hosts. Here, you must plan ahead and consider the two primary costs before all else:
1. Accommodation. Your budget, family size and needs, and other factors will largely determine
your accommodation costs. You may opt for hotels, AirBnBs, and similar options for shorter
projects or rental homes for longer ones. Thankfully, many temporary lodgings offer discounted
rates for prolonged stays.
2. Storage. Similarly, you will need to safely store your items during the project. For some, you may
simply use different rooms in your house for this purpose, but sometimes this won’t be an
option. You may need to opt for portable storage containers, self-storage units, and similar
options in those cases.
Pros and cons of staying on-site
That said, staying on-site during remodeling does have some distinct benefits. It also comes with
disadvantages, of course, but your circumstances may make them manageable.
Pro: observing progress
First and foremost, staying on-site will allow you to observe the project’s progress. It will allow for
consistent communication with your contractors, ensuring your project stays within your ideal
parameters at all times.
Pro: fewer disruptions
Similarly, staying will often be more convenient than moving out. You will certainly have to deal with
daily life disruptions, but you will avoid having to rent and account for your lodgings’ location.
Con: living in a hazardous environment
However, project sites will often be hazardous and stressful living environments. How much so will
depend on your affected areas and exact work, but few will leave your home pristine. This is likely the
most crucial disadvantage of staying instead of moving out during remodeling.
Con: costs
Finally, staying does indirectly entail costs – as your project will be delayed in turn. Contractors will need
to account for your schedules, privacy, convenience, and safety. This will push your project back and
inflate its final cost, which is also a notable drawback to weigh when considering the pros and cons of
moving out during remodeling.
Meta description: From convenience and daily life disruptions to the costs of moving or staying, discover the pros and cons of moving out during remodeling.
Photo used:
https://pixabay.com/photos/architect-building-joy-planning-1080589/
